US6067555A - Device for coloration of black and white documents - Google Patents

Device for coloration of black and white documents Download PDF

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Publication number
US6067555A
US6067555A US08/654,593 US65459396A US6067555A US 6067555 A US6067555 A US 6067555A US 65459396 A US65459396 A US 65459396A US 6067555 A US6067555 A US 6067555A
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color
mark
document
character
image
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Naoki Hayashi
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Fujifilm Business Innovation Corp
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Fuji Xerox Co Ltd
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06T—IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL
    • G06T11/00—2D [Two Dimensional] image generation
    • G06T11/001—Texturing; Colouring; Generation of texture or colour

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a document processor and more particularly to a document processor for drawing up a multicolor document having a multicolor image information outputted from, for example, a word processor capable of drawing out a color document, a color copying machine, or a color printer.
  • the change of a character color in a portion to be highlighted is more likely to afford a conspicuous document than coloring only a mark and keeping the character color unchanged.
  • the character color is unchanged although the underline is colored, and thus the degree of highlight for highlighted expression is low.
  • the marked area or the mark itself is colored, but the character color remains the same. With the conventional techniques in question, it is impossible to change the color of characters to be highlighted.
  • the layout corresponding to a black-and-white document which was rendered conspicuous at the time of drawing up the document remains as it is and the mark itself in the marked area is colored, but the character color is unchanged.
  • the color document obtained does not have a sufficiently highlighted expression making the most of coloration.
  • the conventional techniques involve the problem that since only the mark of a marked portion is colored in the conversion of a black-and-white document to a color document, the marked portion of a highlighted expression sometimes becomes rather difficult to read.
  • the present invention has been accomplished for solving the above-mentioned problem and it is the object of the invention to provide a document processor wherein, in the case of converting a black-and-white document to a color document, any portion in the black-and-white document which portion is highlighted using a mark such as underline or hatching can be converted to a highlighted expression making the most of coloration.
  • the document processor of the present invention is provided with an image information input means for inputting image information of a document to be processed, a mark detecting means for detecting a mark from the inputted image information, a character string detecting means for detecting a character string to be changed its visual feature from the area covered by the detected mark, a changing method determining means for determining a method to change the visual feature of the character string, and an image information generating means for generating image information having a changed visual feature of the character string on the basis of the determined changing method.
  • the image information generating means is characterized by generating image information having a changed visual feature of the character string in accordance with the determined changing method and removing the detected mark from the image information.
  • the changing method determining means is characterized by determining a changing method correspondingly to the detected mark.
  • the character string detecting means is characterized by calculating a layout value on the document page of the character string from the image information of the document which has been inputted, then comparing the layout value with the area which the mark covers on the document page, and detecting the character string that is to have its visual feature changed.
  • the changing method determining means determines a changing method in accordance with the shape or color of the mark. In another case, it determines a changing method in accordance with the characters or graphic form associated with the mark. The change of the visual feature is conducted for at least the character forming lines or the background area of the characters.
  • the mark detecting means detects a mark from the image information
  • the character string detecting means detects a character string that is to have its visual feature changed based on the area covered by the detected mark.
  • the changing method determining means determines a method for changing the visual feature of the detected character string
  • the image information generating means generates image information having a visual feature of the character string changed by the determined changing method.
  • the visual feature change in this document processor is performed in the following manner.
  • the image information generating means generates image information having a changed visual feature of the character string and removes the detected mark from the image information.
  • the visual feature changing method is determined correspondingly to to the detected mark by the changing method determining means.
  • the character string detecting means calculates a layout value on the document page of the character string from the image information of the document which has been inputted, then compares the layout value with the area which the mark covers on the document page, and detects the character string that is to have its visual feature changed.
  • the changing method determining means determines a changing method in accordance with the shape or color of the mark.
  • the changing method determining means determines a changing method in accordance with the characters or graphic form associated with the mark.
  • the change of the visual feature is here conducted for at least either the character forming lines or the background area of the characters, whereby the visual feature of the character string can be changed variously.
  • the mark detecting means detects a mark for a character string
  • the character string detecting means detects the character string (the marked character string) which is distinguished by the mark from the other character strings, on the basis of the inputted image information.
  • the changing method determining means determines a visual feature which the marked character string is to be have in the color document after the conversion, and then on the basis of the result of such determination the image information generating means generates image information having the changed visual feature of the marked character string, namely image information of the color document after the conversion.
  • a suitable changing method for the coloration of a character string is determined in accordance with the color or shape of the mark used, so for example in the case of application to a color copying machine, which portion is to be changed and how it is to be changed can be indicated automatically by merely reading the original for copy even without using an operation panel to designate the color after the conversion separately.
  • the indication of change by the user can be done easily, and the user can perform the conversion for coloration of a document in a simple manner.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a principal portion of a document processor according to the first embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the entire processing flow of a conversion processing for coloration of an electronic filing document file by a processing control section;
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram explaining a data structure of a mark control word•color correspondence table
  • FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing flow in a character color definition inserting section
  • FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing flow in a mark control word substitute section
  • FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing system components which constitute an electronic filing document converter in a document processor according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the entire processing flow of a conversion processing for coloration of an electronic filing document by a processing control section in the second embodiment
  • FIG. 8 is a diagram explaining a data structure of a mark line type•color correspondence table
  • FIG. 9 is a diagram explaining the relation between document data in a file to be processed and the area which the document data occupies on page;
  • FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing system components which constitute a copying machine with edit function as a document processor according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the entire processing flow of a conversion processing for coloration of an original document by a processing control section in the third embodiment
  • FIG. 12 is a diagram explaining the structure of image data which are read by an original reading section
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram explaining an address tuple of pixel data detected as a mark area by a mark area detecting section
  • FIG. 14 is a diagram explaining discrimination of a character area marked with underline.
  • FIG. 15 is a diagram explaining discrimination of a marked area using pixel data of parenthesis or bracket.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a principal portion of a document processor according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • the reference numeral 1 denotes an input file storage section
  • numeral 2 denotes a processing control section
  • numeral 3 denotes a mark control word detecting section
  • numeral 4 denotes a leading character detecting section
  • numeral 5 denotes an output file storage section
  • 6 a processing object file holding section
  • 7 a mark control word•color correspondence table holding section
  • 8 a character color definition inserting section
  • 9 a mark control word substitute section
  • 10 an internal bus
  • 11 an external network bus.
  • the input file storage section 1, processing control section 2, mark control word detecting section 3, leading character detecting section 4, output file storage section 5, processing object file holding section 6, mark control word•color correspondence table holding section 7, character color definition inserting section 8, and mark control word substitute section 9, are connected with one another through the internal bus 10 to constitute a document processing system within one terminal equipment in a network system.
  • an explanation will first be given about the technique serving as a premise. More specifically, reference will first be made to the format of an electronic filing document used herein as well as the color representation and mark representation in the electronic filing document.
  • the input/output file format in the document processing system of the first embodiment there is used a format which conforms to RTF (Rich Text Format).
  • RTF Raster Text Format
  • an input file of the electronic filing document file there is used a file of black-and-white documents, namely a file wherein is set only the value indicative of "black” as a character color in electronic filing documents.
  • the RTF file is made up of a header portion and a document portion.
  • the header portion are described declarations of color, font and layout style.
  • the document portion there are described text contents, and regarding how to lay out character strings, a description is made using control words defined in the RTF specifications and the declarations described in the header portion.
  • the colors used in the document file are designated by the declaration of a color table group in the header portion. This declaration is expressed by the following grammar in accordance with the BNF form (Backus form):
  • control word described as " ⁇ colortbl” represents declaration of the color table
  • control words described as " ⁇ red”, “ ⁇ green” and “ ⁇ blue” represent color designations of the three primary colors of RGB (red, green and blue), respectively.
  • Integer values which follow these control words (“ ⁇ red”, “ ⁇ green”, “ ⁇ blue") indicate the degrees of the colors, respectively.
  • the color designation range of each of the RGB colors is an integer value range from “0" to "255.” In more particular terms, if for example the following control words are described in the color table declaration:
  • the designation of which color is to be used as the character color from among the colors declared in the color table is performed using, for example, the control word " ⁇ cf" which changes character formatting properties. More specifically, an integer value not smaller than "0" which follows the control word " ⁇ cf" serves as an index which designates which color in the color table is to be used. When the value of the index is "N,” the (N +1)th color in the color table is the designated color.
  • control of color designation is applied to the character strings which follow the control word " ⁇ cf" . This is effective continuously until there appears another designation using the next control word.
  • control words which perform color designation there are included control words "Return to default value” such as " ⁇ pard” and " ⁇ secd”.
  • Underline and hatching are represented by the addition of control words which designate it. That is, underline is represented by control words which change character formatting properties, the control words being a control word indicating the start of the underline and a control word indicating the end of the underline.
  • the control word indicative of the start also indicates the type of the underline.
  • there are four types of control words indicating the start of underline which are " ⁇ ul (the ordinary underline)", “ ⁇ uld (dotted line)”, “ ⁇ uldb (double line)”, and " ⁇ ulw (draw a line only under characters)".
  • control words indicating the end of under line there are two types of control words, which are " ⁇ ul0 (the ordinary end of underline)” and " ⁇ ulnone (end of all underlines)”. If the following description, ⁇ . . . ⁇ ⁇ ul underline ⁇ ul0 is drawn at a portion ⁇ , is found in a file document, a single continuous line is drawn under the character string of only the "underline” portion in that description.
  • Hatchings each represented as a control word for a paragraph, are broadly classified into two types which are dot type and line type.
  • the RTF specification define (prepare) control words for the addition of those hatchings accordingly, as will be explained below.
  • a dot type hatching is represented by the control word " ⁇ shading".
  • the dot density is represented by an integer value in the range from “0" to "100” which follow " ⁇ shading".
  • the control word " ⁇ shading20” indicates the addition of hatching with a dot density of 20% to the paragraphs which follow the control word.
  • control word “ ⁇ bgbdiag” indicates adding a hatching of a backward diagonal background pattern to the paragraphs which follow the control word.
  • control word “ ⁇ bgdcross” indicates adding the hatching of a diagonal cross background pattern to the paragraphs which follow the control word.
  • the input file storage section 1, processing control section 2, mark control word detecting section 3, leading character detecting section 4, output file storage section 5, processing object file holding section 6, mark control word•color correspondence table holding section 7, character color definition inserting section 8, and mark control word substitute section 9, are connected with one another through the internal bus 7 and constitute one document processing system in a network system.
  • this document processing system there is performed a conversion processing for converting an electronic filing document file of black-and-white documents into a colored file.
  • the processing control section 2 while controlling the other system components, reads an electronic filing document file which contains layout information, detects a control word indicating the addition of a highlight representation mark such as underline in a black-and-white document, then erases the mark itself, colorizes the characters of the marked character string, and outputs a colored electronic filing document file.
  • FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the entire processing flow of the conversion processing for the coloration of an electronic filing document file.
  • the processing control section 2 judges whether a document file is present or not in the input file storage section 1. If the answer is negative, the processing is ended. On the other hand, if the answer is affirmative, the operation flow advances to step 22, in which the processing control section 2 selects one document file stored in the input file storage section 1 and moves the selected document file to the processing object file holding section 6. The document file thus shifted to the processing object file holding section 6 is the processing object file.
  • step 23 the processing control section 2 controls the character color definition inserting section 8, which in turn defines a color designation after the color conversion to the color table of the document file (the processing object file) in the processing object file holding section 6. Then, in step 24, the processing control section 2 controls the mark control word detecting section 3 to search whether the control word corresponding to the mark is present or not in the document file of the processing object file. Then in the next step 25 there is made judgment as to whether the control word was detected or not by the search.
  • step 25 If the answer is affirmative in the judgment of step 25, the operation flow advances to the next step 26, in which the mark control word substitute section 9 is controlled to substitute the detected control word with a color designating control word. Then, the operation flow returns to step 24 to continue the processing from same step for the next control word in the document file (the processing object file). That is, the processing involving searching for the next control word and, in the case of the control word being detected, substituting the control word with a color designating control word, is performed repeatedly (steps 24 to 26).
  • step 27 in order to continue the processing for the next document file, the processing object file is moved to the output file storage section 5 and the document file already processed is stored in the storage section 5. Then, the operation flow returns to step 21 to repeat the processing from the same step.
  • an electronic filing document file of black-and-white documents is read, a control word indicating the addition of a highlight representation mark such as underline in a black-and-white document is detected, the mark itself is erased, the marked character string is colored, and a colored electronic filing document file is outputted.
  • mark control word-character color correspondence table (30, FIG. 3)
  • an underlined character string is converted to a red character string of red color free of underline
  • a character string with hatching of 20% density dots is converted to a character string of red color free of hatching
  • a character string with hatching of a backward diagonal background pattern is converted to a character string of blue color free of hatching.
  • marked black-and-white data are converted to color document data.
  • the input file storage section 1 is linked networkwise to another document processing system through the external network bus 11 and receives RTF files transmitted from another document processing system, then stores, say, black-and-white RTF files to be converted to color documents.
  • the input file storage section 1 is utilized for the storage of plural RTF files and for performing the same coloration processing in a lump.
  • the processing control section 2 which, as mentioned above, is a section for controlling the whole of the conversion processing for coloration, controls the individual system components and at the same time reads in an electronic filing document file containing layout information, detects a highlight mark such as underline, colorize the marked character string, and outputs a colored file.
  • the processing object file holding section 6 is a system component for holding a document file as a processing object. It holds an RTF file ("processing object file” hereinafter) of a document file for conversion to a color document. Data conversion to a color document is conducted for the processing object file thus held. Therefore, the number of file held in the processing object file holding section 6 is one.
  • the mark control word detecting section 3, character color definition inserting section 8 and mark control word substitute section 9 make access to the document file of the processing object file thus held, perform the data conversion to a color document, and alter the file contents.
  • the output file storage section 5 which is a system component for storing the RTF file after the coloration conversion, can store document files of plural RTF files. It is linked to another document processing system by wire (the external network bus 11). When another document processing system has accessed the document processing system in question, the stored RTF files (after the coloration conversion) are delivered from the output file storage section 5 to the processing system which has accessed.
  • mark control word•color correspondence table holding section 7 are held tabulated data as a mark control word•color correspondence table (30, FIG. 3) which tabulated data correlate control words indicating the addition of marks in black-and-white documents, RGB values of character colors, and color table indexes of the processing object file, with one another.
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram explaining the data structure of the mark control word•color correspondence table.
  • the mark control word•color correspondence table 30 comprises a control word field 31, a character color field 32, and an index field 33.
  • entry data for color designation are stored data which correlate mark control words and character colors with each other. That is, one entry data in the table 30 correlates a control word indicating the addition of one mark with a color designation for character coloration.
  • control word field 31 are stored control words indicating marks for conversion to colors, while in the character color field 32 character colors after coloration conversion of the marks are described as RGB definitions of the color table in correspondence to the marks indicated by the values of "control words" at the same lines (entries) in the control word field 31.
  • the color designation value ";" described in the character color field 32 means the use of default value.
  • index field 33 is stored the color table index of the processing object file which index is coincident with the value of "character color” at the same line (entry) as in the character color field 32.
  • the mark control word•color correspondence table 30 is prepared in accordance with the contents of conversion (color designation) in the case of making data conversion for the coloration of a black-and-white document. Although the control word values in the control word field 31 and the values of color table RGB definitions as character colors in the character color field 32 are fixed, the index values in the index field 33 are changed for each processing object file.
  • the correlation data using each entry data in the mark control word•color correspondence table 30 which has been set to the above contents are referred to by the character color definition inserting section 8 for setting in the document file the color used in the document after the coloration conversion, and are also referred to by the mark control word detecting section 3 for finding out the control word corresponding to the mark concerned from the document file.
  • the correlation data in question are further referred to by the mark control word substitute section 9 to substitute the control word in the document file with a color designating control word.
  • the character color definition inserting section 8 there is performed a processing for setting in the color table of the processing object file the color (character color) to be used in the document after the coloration conversion. Also performed is a processing whereby the associated index in the color table of the processing object file is set in the index field 33 of the mark control word•color correspondence table 30 held by the mark control word•color correspondence table holding section 7.
  • FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing flow in the character color definition inserting section.
  • description is now directed to the flow of processing made by the character color definition inserting section 8 to set in the color table of the processing object file the color (character color) to be used in the document after the coloration conversion.
  • step 41 there is made judgment as to whether the color table declaration is present or not in the processing object file. If the color table declaration is not present, the operation flow advances to step 42, in which the character string ⁇ ⁇ colortbl; ⁇ of the color table declaration is inserted into the header portion of the processing object file at a location which satisfies the grammar of the RTF specification, then the operation flow advances to step 43. On the other hand, if the color table declaration is present, the operation flow advances to the next step 43 without doing anything.
  • step 43 the first line (entry) is chosen from the mark control word•color correspondence table 30 held by the mark control word•color correspondence table holding section 7 and is stored as the current line.
  • step 44 judgment is made to see if the value of "character color” in the character color field of the current line is contained in the color table of the processing object file. If the value of that "character color” is not contained in the color table of the processing object file, then in step 45 the value of "character color” in the character color field 32 of the current line is added to the last of the color table of the processing object file, and the operation flow advances to the next step 46. On the other hand, if the judgment of step 44 shows that the value of "character color” in the character color field 32 of the current line is contained in the color table of the processing object file, the operation flow advances to step 46 directly.
  • step 46 a check is made to see in what number of the color table of the processing object file the value of "character color" in the character color field 32 of the current line is present, and the associated index is written in the current line as the value in the index field 33, followed by shift to the next step 47, in which there is made judgment as to whether the current line is the last line (entry) of the mark control word•color correspondence table 30. If the answer is negative, then in step 48 the line next to the current line is stored as a new current line, followed by return to step 44 to repeat the processings from the same step.
  • step 47 the current line is judged to be the last line (entry) of the mark control word•color correspondence table 30, the operation flow is here ended because the character color definitions in the table 30 have been stored in the color table of the processing object file by the processings so far executed.
  • the mark control word detecting section 3 will now be described.
  • the control word coincident with the value designated in the control word field 31 of the mark control word•color correspondence able 30 which is held in the mark control word•color correspondence table holding section 7 is searched and detected from the processing object file, then the detected control word and the position thereof in the processing object file are stored.
  • the number of control word detected by a single search is not larger than one. Detection of "0" indicates that the processing object file does not contain the same control word as the value designated in the control word field 31 of the mark control word•color correspondence table 30.
  • Such a mark control word detecting function is utilized for detecting a character from the processing object file in the processing of the leading character detecting section 4 and is also utilized for replacing mark with color in the processing of the mark control word substitute section 9.
  • the leading character detecting section 4 searches the processing object file, detects the first character after a certain control word from the text contents of document in the processing object file, then stores the detected character and the position thereof in the processing object file. As the control word corresponding to the search start point and its position there are used those stored in the mark control word detecting section 3, and processing is started.
  • the function of the leading character detecting section 4 is utilized for substituting mark with color in the processing of the mark control word substitute section 9.
  • the processing executed by the mark control word substitute section 9 will now be described.
  • the mark control word substitute section 9 deletes a control word indicating the addition of a mark from the processing object file and instead inserts a color designating control word into the processing object file.
  • the flowchart of FIG. 5 shows a processing flow in the mark control word substitute section 9. The following description is now provided about the processing in the section 9 with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5.
  • step 51 a search is made for the lines (entries) of the control word field 31 in the mark control word•color correspondence table 30 which is held in the mark control word•color correspondence table holding section 7, then a line wherein the value of the control word coincides with the control word value stored in the mark control word detecting section 3 is selected and is stored as the current line.
  • step 52 in which as a color designating control word is stored a control word comprising the character string " ⁇ cf" and the index value in the index field 33 of the current line which follows the character string.
  • step 53 there is made judgment as to whether the control word stored in the mark control word detecting section is positioned in the header portion of the processing object file.
  • step 54 in which the control word stored in the mark control word detecting section 3 is deleted from the processing object file and the color designating control word (the one prepared in the processing of step 52) is inserted into the deleted position to terminate the processing.
  • the leading character detecting section 4 is controlled to detect a character and its position. More specifically, the leading character detecting section 4 searches the processing object file, detects the first character after the control word from the text contents of document in the processing object file, and stores both the detected character and its position in the processing object file. In the next step 56, the detected character and its position are referred to, the control word stored in the mark control word detecting section 3 is deleted from the processing object file, and the color designating control word (the one prepared in the processing of step 52) is inserted just before the position of the character detected by the leading character detecting section 4 to terminate the processing.
  • the values in the mark control word-character color correspondence table 30 are set as in FIG. 3, for example, the description ⁇ . . . ⁇ ⁇ stylesheet ⁇ bgbdiag; ⁇ . . . ⁇ if any in the header portion of the processing object file is substituted by the description ⁇ . . . ⁇ ⁇ stylesheet ⁇ cf2; ⁇ . . . ⁇ by the processing in the mark control word substitute section 9. And if there is the description ⁇ . . . ⁇ ⁇ ul underline ⁇ ul0 is drawn at a portion ⁇ . . . ⁇ in the document of the processing object file, this description is substituted by the description ⁇ . . . ⁇ ⁇ cf1 underline ⁇ cf0 is drawn at a portion ⁇ . . . ⁇ .
  • marked black-and-white data are converted to color document data like the following: "An underlined character string is converted to a red character string free of underline, and a hatched character string with 20% density dots is converted to a red character string free of hatching. Further, a character string hatched with a backward diagonal background pattern is converted to a blue character string free of hatching.
  • An electronic filing document converter will now be described as a document processor according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
  • a mark (a control word representing a mark) indicating a highlight portion of a black-and-white document is given as a control word which changes the attributes of a character string or a paragraph
  • the mark for coloration conversion is given as a graphic information.
  • a mark is a closed curve drawn on a page of a document, and in a file there is utilized one which is described as geometric graphic data or bit map image data.
  • a page layout is calculated and a comparison is made between the position of a character string and that of a mark to detect a marked character string.
  • bit map image data according to the RTF specification are given as pictures and are expressed by a description beginning with the control word " ⁇ pict".
  • control words which represent information necessary for the interpretation of bit data such as the definition of bit map plane and the designation of image size, there are arranged bit data of hexadecimal or binary digit representation.
  • FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing system components which constitute the electronic filing document converter as the document processor of the second embodiment.
  • the reference numeral 1 denotes an input file storage section
  • numeral 5 denotes an output file storage section
  • 6 a processing object file holding section
  • 10 an internal bus
  • 11 an external network bus
  • 60 a mark control word•color correspondence table holding section
  • 61 a processing control section
  • 62 a mark graphic detecting section
  • 63 a marked character detecting section 64 a font holding section
  • 65 a character color definition inserting section
  • 66 a color designating control word inserting section
  • 67 a page layout calculating section
  • 68 a mark graphic deleting section.
  • the same system components as in the document processor of the first embodiment are indicated by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment. More particularly, the input file storage section 1, output file storage section 5, processing object file holding section 6, internal bus 10 and external network 11 are the same as in the document processor of the first embodiment.
  • the input file storage section 1, output file storage section 5, processing object file holding section 6, mark line type•color correspondence table holding section 60, processing control section 61, mark graphic detecting section 62, marked character string detecting section 63, font holding section 64, character color definition inserting section 65, color designating control word inserting section 66, page layout calculating section 67 and mark graphic deleting section 68 are connected with one another through the internal bus 10, thereby constituting a document processing system in one terminal equipment of a network system.
  • this document processing system is connected through the external network 11 to an external document processing system connected to the network system.
  • the processing control section 61 while controlling the other system components, reads in the file of the electronic filing document containing the graphic information as mark, then colorizes the characters of a character string specified by using as mark a closed curve drawn on a page or geometric graphic data or bit map image data, then erases the mark itself, and outputs the thus converted file as a colored electronic filing document.
  • a coloration processing for an electronic filing document in such a manner that a character string enclosed by a bit map image is converted to a red character string, a character string enclosed by a broken line is converted to a green character string, and a character string enclosed by a dotted line is converted to a blue character string.
  • FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the entire processing flow of the conversion processing for coloration of an electronic filing document by the processing control section in the second embodiment.
  • the processing flow will now be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 7.
  • the processing control section 61 judges whether document files are present in the input file storage section 1. If the answer is negative, the processing is ended. On the other hand, if files are present in the input file storage section 1, the operation flow advances to step 72, in which the processing control section 61 selects one document file from the input file storage section 1 and moves the selected document file to the processing object file holding section 6. The document file thus shifted to the processing object file holding section 6 is used as a processing object file.
  • step 73 the character color definition inserting section 65 is controlled to define a color designation after coloration conversion to the color table of the document file (the processing object file) in the processing object file holding section 6.
  • step 74 the page layout calculating section 67 is controlled to calculate the page layout of the processing object file, followed by holding of the calculation result.
  • step 75 the mark graphic detecting section 62 is controlled to detect all the drawing objects and pictures corresponding to the marks contained in the processing object file, and their positions in the file are stored.
  • step 76 the marked character string detecting section 63 is controlled to detect all the marked character strings contained in the processing object file, and their positions in the file are stored.
  • step 77 the color designating control word inserting section 66 is controlled to insert color designating control words according to mark line types before and after all the marked character strings and store them in the processing object file.
  • step 78 the mark graphic deleting section 68 is controlled to delete from the processing object file all the drawing objects and pictures corresponding to the marks. Now the processing for the electronic filing document is over.
  • step 79 in order to continue the processing for the next document file, the processing object file is moved to the output file storage section 5 and the document file which has been processed is stored in the same storage section. Then, the operation flow returns to step 71 to repeat the processing.
  • the processing control section 2 while controlling the other system components, reads in an electronic filing document file of black-and-white documents containing layout information, detects a control word indicating the addition of a highlight representation mark in each black-and-white document such as underline, then erases the mark itself, colorizes the marked character string, and outputs the thus-colored electronic filing document file.
  • FIG. 8 is a diagram explaining the data structure of the mark line type•color correspondence able.
  • the mark line type•color correspondence table 80 comprises a control word field 81, a character color field 82 and an index field 83.
  • entry data for color designation are stored data which correlate control words for graphic information as marks with character colors. That is, the entry data in the mark line type•color correspondence table 80 correlate control words for graphic information as marks with color designations for the coloration of characters.
  • control word field 81 are stored control words which represent marks for conversion to colors.
  • control words for designating the line type, or style, of drawing objects.
  • character color field 82 like the mark control word•color correspondence table 30 in the first embodiment described above, character colors after coloration conversion are described as RGB definitions of the color table in correspondence to the marks indicated by the values of "control words" at the same lines (entries) in the control word field 81.
  • index field 83 are stored the color table indexes of the processing object file coincident with the values of "character colors” at the respective lines (entries) in the character color field 82.
  • the mark line type•color correspondence table 80 is prepared in accordance with the contents of conversion (color designation) in the case of making data conversion for the coloration of a document character string using graphic information as marks.
  • conversion color designation
  • the control word values in the control word field 81 and the values of color table RGB definitions as character colors in the character color field 82 are fixed, the index values in the index field 83 are changed for each processing object file.
  • the correlation data using each entry data in the mark line type•color correspondence table 80 which has been set to the above contents are referred to by the character color definition inserting section 65 for setting in the document file the color used in the document after the coloration conversion and are also referred to by the mark graphic detecting section 62 for finding out the control word corresponding to the mark concerned from the document file.
  • the correlation data in question are further referred to by the color designating control word inserting section 66 to insert a color designating control word into the character string specified by the mark in the document file.
  • the character color definition inserting section 65 there is conducted a processing for setting in the color table of the processing object file the color (character color) to be used in the document after the coloration conversion. There also is performed a processing whereby the associated index in the color table of the processing object file is set in the index field 83 of the mark line type•color correspondence table 80 held by the mark line type•color correspondence table holding section 60. Since the processing in the character color definition inserting section 65 is the same as the processing illustrated in FIG. 4, explanation thereof is here omitted, provided as the RGB values defined here there are used values found in the table 80 held by the table holding section 60.
  • the font holding section 64 holds a character font capable of being designated by a font table group at the header portion of the processing object file.
  • the page layout calculating section 67 utilizes the character font information held in the font holding section 64 for the purpose of making a rough page layout calculation.
  • the marked character string detecting section 63 refers to the character font information held in the font holding section 64.
  • the page layout calculating section 67 calculates areas occupied on a page by paragraph, drawing object and picture in the processing object file and stores the results of the calculation as data arranged in a coordinate system for each page, in which coordinate system the left upper corner point of each page is the origin, the upper end of the page is x axis and the left end of the page is y axis.
  • twip which is used as a unit indicative of length on the page layout.
  • point which is a unit often used in printing, one twip corresponds to 0.05 point.
  • the area of paragraph is given as a minimum rectangular area capable of including all the text contents when the text contents are laid out on a page.
  • This area calculation utilizes information relating to the size of the character font held in the font holding section 64.
  • the result of this area calculation is stored as rectangular data on the coordinates.
  • the position in the processing object file where the description of the paragraph is started is stored in correlation with the rectangular data.
  • the area of drawing object is given as a minimum rectangular area capable of including the graphic form concerned.
  • the result of this area calculation is stored as rectangular data on the coordinates.
  • the position in the processing object file where the description of the drawing object is started namely the position of the control word " ⁇ do" in the file, is stored in correlation with the rectangular data.
  • the area of picture is given as a minimum rectangular area capable of including the bit map image concerned.
  • the result of this area calculation is stored as rectangular data on the coordinates.
  • the position in the processing object file where the description of the picture is started namely the position of the control word " ⁇ pict" in the file, is stored in correlation with the rectangular data.
  • FIG. 9 is a diagram explaining the relation between document data in the processing object file and areas which the document data occupy on a page.
  • the description of a character string corresponding to the area of paragraph is started by the control word " ⁇ par”, so the paragraph area calculated by the page layout calculation and the start point of description starting with the control word " ⁇ par" are stored in correlation with each other.
  • the other rectangular areas calculated by the layout calculation and the control words as description start points corresponding to those areas are stored in correlation with each ot her.
  • the mark graphic detecting section 62 searches for a processing object file and detects drawing objects and pictures corresponding to marks. As to the drawing object or picture corresponding to mark for specifying a character string to be colored, its area on a page overlaps the area of paragraph, the mark graphic detecting section 62 searches for such drawing object or picture by utilizing the page layout calculating section 67.
  • drawing objects and pictures corresponding to marks are detected by performing a series of the following processing steps 1 to 3 for all of the descriptions of drawing objects and pictures in each processing object file.
  • the description start position in the processing object file of the detected drawing object or picture and the description start position of paragraph in the file which overlaps it are stored in correlation with each other.
  • the marked character string detecting section 63 performs a processing for detecting a character string in paragraph marked with the drawing object or picture. More specifically, for each of the description start positions stored in the mark graphic detecting section, the marked character string detecting section 63 performs a series of the following processing steps 1 to 4 to detect a character string in paragraph marked with the drawing object or picture.
  • the marked character string detecting section 63 detects the character string in the paragraph marked with the drawing object or picture.
  • the color designating control word inserting section 66 performs a processing for the insertion of color designating control words.
  • control words for changing the color of the marked character string are inserted into the processing object file correspondingly to the position of the character string. More specifically, control words for color designation are inserted respectively just before and just after the first and last characters which are marked and stored in the marked character string detecting section 63.
  • the value of the control word inserted just before the position of the first character is determined using the mark line type•color correspondence table 80 held in the mark line type•color correspondence table holding section 60. Which line (entry data) of the table 80 is to be used is determined by the description of the drawing object or picture associated with the first character position.
  • the mark graphic deleting section 68 After the color designating control words have been inserted as above by the color designating control word inserting section 66, the mark graphic deleting section 68 performs a processing for deleting the graphic information which has been utilized as mark.
  • the mark graphic deleting section 68 refers to the mark line type•color correspondence table held in the mark line type•color correspondence table holding section 60 and deletes an arbitrary description of drawing object or picture from the processing object file.
  • the character color value ⁇ Red: " ⁇ red255 ⁇ green0 ⁇ blue0" ⁇ is set for the control word " ⁇ dplinesolid”
  • the character value ⁇ Green: “ ⁇ red0 ⁇ green255 ⁇ blue0” ⁇ is set for the control word " ⁇ dplinedash”
  • the character color value ⁇ Blue: " ⁇ red0 ⁇ green0 ⁇ blue255” ⁇ is set for the control word " ⁇ dplinedot”
  • a coloration conversion in such a manner that a character string enclosed with a bit map image is colored red, a character string enclosed with a graphic form of broken line is colored green, and a character string enclosed with a graphic form of dotted line is colored blue.
  • the first and second embodiments can be carried out even if the entire system and the system components are modified as follows.
  • the electronic filing document file converter of the first embodiment with the electronic filing document converter of the second embodiment, it becomes possible to cope with both marks using text attributes and marks based on picture drawing, and these marks permit characters of a character string to be colored.
  • the input file storage section 1 may be endowed with a format conversion function for the conversion from an arbitrary file format to RTF format, whereby it becomes possible to perform the coloration conversion processing for a document file of an arbitrary file format.
  • the output file storage section 5 may be endowed with a format conversion function for the conversion from the RTF format to an arbitrary file format having a color describing capability, whereby a document file which has undergone the coloration conversion processing can be outputted in an arbitrary file format.
  • the format conversion function may be endowed with a function which permits the user to select a desired file format, whereby it becomes possible to receive the output in a file format which the user desires.
  • the tables held respectively by the mark control word•color correspondence table holding section 7 and the mark line type•color correspondence table holding section 64 may be rendered modifiable on the user side, whereby it becomes possible to set the mark•color correlation to a desired one by the user. Further, as to whether the alteration of such correlation is to be temporary or permanent, an inquiry may be made of the user and thereafter the alteration may be set in accordance with instructions given by the user. By so doing, the period effective for alteration of the correlation can be set so as to meet the user's request.
  • GUI Graphic User Interface
  • the technique it is possible to diminish the burden on the user's input operation.
  • alteration of the correspondence tables it is optional whether the tables are to be replaced or partially updated.
  • an item field for the catalog of control words relating to the character shape (available values are those of control words relating to the character shape of character format characteristics, e.g. " ⁇ i", " ⁇ outl") may be added to the correspondence table held by the mark control word•color correspondence table holding section 7 or the mark line type•color correspondence holding section 64, and in the case of writing color designating control words for the characters of a character string into the processing object file, the associated values in the item field are written subsequent to the color designating control words.
  • the contents of the character color designating control words may remain substantially unchanged. More specifically, in the case of making coloration conversion involving conversion of mark control words for the characters of a character string, there is made a modification wherein the conversion of character shape control words is made in place of the conversion of color designating control words. This is advantageous in that the user can obtain a desired conspicuous document less expensively when the effect of discrimination is ensured even without the change of color.
  • lines and hatchings including the type thereof, as marks for specifying the characters of a character string in the coloration conversion
  • any other marks if only the marks used permit visual specifying of the covered area, such as parentheses, brackets, and solid print.
  • a modification may be made so as to alter the contents of visual characteristic in accordance with the color of mark.
  • the mark control word detecting section or the mark graphic detecting section detects a specific color as mark, and the contents of alteration are decided from the detected mark color in accordance with the mark control word•color correspondence table or the mark line type•color correspondence table.
  • information which correlates the mark shape and color to be detected with the character string altering method is held by the former or the latter table just referred to above, and there may be adopted a configuration wherein the contents of the color designating control words for the characters of the specified character string are altered accordingly.
  • a visual characteristic of a character string is altered according to the shape of mark
  • a modification may be made so as to alter the visual characteristic using characters or graphics located near the mark.
  • a control word for superscript or subscript present just before or just after the control word corresponding to mark is searched and if it is found out, then a visual characteristic of the marked character string is altered accordingly.
  • the character string ⁇ . . . The sales of company A are by far the most important. . . . ⁇ is described as ⁇ . . . ⁇
  • the sales of company A are ⁇ ul by far the most ⁇ ul0 ⁇ sub important ⁇ nosupersub. ⁇ . . . ⁇ .
  • the control word " ⁇ sub” indicates the start of subscript, while the control word " ⁇ nosupersub” indicates the end of superscript or subscript. Also in this case, therefore, a search is conducted for a control word and there is made a control word substitute for alteration of its visual characteristic.
  • each information piece which correlates the control word corresponding to the mark to be detected and the contents of superscript or subscript with the character string altering method, and the control word conversion processing for the character string concerned is performed accordingly.
  • information pieces each correlating the shape of mark to be detected and characters or graphics present near the mark with the alteration method for the character string concerned are held according to the file format of processing data in the mark line type•color correspondence table, and the data conversion processing is executed in accordance with those information pieces.
  • the mark graphic detecting section 62 searches for picture elements present near the mark to recognize characters or a graphic form, then on the basis of both the result of this recognition and the correlation information in the mark line type•color correspondence table the color designating control word inserting section 66 inserts control words into the processing object file concerned.
  • the mark graphic deleting section 68 changes the color of the mark graphic and characters or graphics located thereabouts into white color at a time. Through such a series of operations there is made a change in visual characteristic of the character string concerned.
  • RTF is used as the file format of processing data, but there may be any other file format if only it has a describing capability equal to or even higher than that of RTF with respect to color and mark.
  • a table form as the data structure in the mark line type•color correspondence table, it should be clear that any other data structure may be used if only it permits a color description with control words as keys. Thus, modifications may be made for various formats and data structures.
  • the copying machine with edit function of the third embodiment is configured in such a manner that a black-and-white original marked with a color marker pen is read in, then the mark is detected, and a color original having colored characters of the marked character string is outputted. Further, the change in color of the characters of a character string after coloration conversion is made according to the color of the color marker pen.
  • the user is required to mark (for example with line or parentheses) each portion to be colored of a black-and-white original, or paint the whole of such portion, using a color marker pen, to provide indication of mark.
  • a color marker pen there are provided color marker pens of different colors such as "for heading” or "for highlight” according to uses.
  • the user marks a portion to be colored of a black-and-white original by means of a marker pen of a color which suits the purpose of use.
  • FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing system components which constitute the copying machine with edit function as the document processor of the third embodiment.
  • the reference numeral 100 denotes an internal bus
  • numeral 101 denotes an original reading section
  • numeral 102 denotes a processing control section
  • 103 a mark graphic detecting section
  • 104 a mark area detecting section
  • 105 an original output section
  • 106 a processing image data holding section
  • 107 a mark•color correspondence table holding section
  • 108 a character image color changing section
  • 109 a mark image deleting section
  • 110 a marking section.
  • the copying machine with edit function of the third embodiment is provided with system components which are processing components for image data (pixel data) and which are of similar functions as the image data processing system components of the document processor of the second embodiment. More specifically, in the system configuration of the copying machine with edit function according to the third embodiment, the original reading section 101, processing control section 102, mark image detecting section 103, mark area detecting section 104, original output section 105, processing image data holding section 106, mark•color correspondence table holding section 107, character image color changing section 108, mark image deleting section 109, and marking section 110 are connected with one another through the internal bus 100 to constitute a single copying machine with edit function as a document processing system.
  • the mark of a color marker pen attached to a black-and-white original document is detected and there is performed a conversion processing for coloration of the original document.
  • the processing control section 102 while controlling the other system components, reads the black-and-white original marked with the color marker pen, discriminates the character string specified with the mark, then colorize the character string, erases the mark itself, and outputs the colored original document.
  • FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the entire processing flow of the coloration conversion processing for an original document executed by the processing control section in the third embodiment.
  • the coloration conversion processing will now be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 11.
  • step 113 the processing control section 102 controls the mark image detecting section 103 to check whether all pixel data tuples corresponding to one mark are present in the processing image of the processing image data. Then, in step 114 there is made judgment as to whether one pixel data tuple was detected or not as a result of the above search. If the answer is affirmative, the operation flow advances to step 116, in which the processing control section 102 controls the mark area detecting section 104 to find out a pixel data tuple positioned inside the detected mark.
  • step 117 the character image color changing section 108 is controlled to change the value of black data in the image data positioned inside the mark into the corresponding character color in accordance with a mark•color correspondence table. More specifically, the value of black data in the image data positioned inside the mark is changed to the value of the character color associated with the marker pen color of that mark in accordance with the mark•color correspondence table.
  • step 118 the mark image detecting section 109 is controlled to alter the processing image so that the mark image is not displayed at the time of output of the original. According to this processing, the color designated of the mark image is changed to the same color as the background image color. Then, to make processing for the next pixel data tuple, the operation flow returns to step 113 and the operations starting with step 113 are repeated.
  • step 114 if it is judged in step 114 that a pixel data tuple corresponding to one mark has not been detected, it follows that the processing for the pixel data of the original document is over. In this case, the operation flow shifts to step 115, in which the original output section 105 is controlled to output a designated number of copies of the original with the processing image data printed thereon.
  • the processing control section 102 while controlling the other system components, reads an original image from a black-and-white document, detects characters (pixel data) of a character string marked with a color marker pen, then colorizes the characters (pixel data), erases the mark itself, and outputs the colored image of the original document after printing.
  • FIG. 12 is a diagram explaining the structure of image data read by the original reading section 102.
  • the original reading section 102 scans a black-and-white original 121 as a processing object optically, makes resolution into the three primary colors of light R (red), G (green) and B (blue), then produces digital color image data 122 of 256 gradation (8 bits) using those colors respectively, and causes the digital color image data to be held in the processing image data holding section 106.
  • One picture element the digital color image data thus produced corresponds to 0.0625 mm square (16 ⁇ 16 picture elements per mm 2 , resolution: about 400 dpi) on the original.
  • One pixel data is represented by 24 bits (continuous 3-byte data).
  • the first 8 bis of 24 bits represent 256 gradation data of R (red)
  • the middle 8 bits represent 256 gradation data of G (green)
  • the last 8 bits represent 256 gradation data of B (blue).
  • the state of white is when all the bits are on, while the state of black is when all the bits are off.
  • Digital color image data obtained by a single scan correspond to one A4-size sheet of the original and are represented by (3360 ⁇ 4752) pieces of continuous pixel data, assuming that the lateral direction is the horizontal scanning direction (3360 pixels) and the longitudinal direction is the vertical scanning direction (4752 pixels).
  • the order of pixel data is determined uniquely from the left top position on the original of the pixel data. This data sequence is in conformity with an optical scan such that a scan line (realized by CCD) along the short side direction of the original is shifted in the long side direction.
  • the pixel data from the head to the 3360th pixel are the top pixels arranged successively from the left to the right. In this way, 4752 tuples of pixel data are arranged successively from the top to the bottom, with 3360 pixel data as one tuple.
  • the processing image data holding section 106 holds the digital color image data (processing image data) as the processing object which have been read by the original reading section 101.
  • the processing image data on one sheet of an A4-size original have a size of (3360 ⁇ 4752) ⁇ 24 bits, corresponding to a data volume of about 46 Mbytes.
  • the mark•color correspondence table holding section 107 holds a mark•color correspondence table.
  • the mark•color correspondence table represents tabulated conversion data similar to the foregoing mark control word•color correspondence table (FIG. 3), which data correlate the colors of marker pens ("marker color" hereinafter) with character colors used in outputted originals.
  • the color values in the mark•color correspondence table are represented in the same form as the pixel data.
  • the marker colors are subjected beforehand to colorimetry and then converted to the form of pixel data, which are defined in the mark-color correspondence table. In connection with the marker colors, the range of values detected and falling under an allowable range is also defined in the same correspondence table.
  • the mark image detecting section 103 refers to the range of value detected as mark and falling under the allowable range in the correspondence table and detects image data (pixel data) corresponding to the mark.
  • the character image color changing section 108 refers to the value of character color in the correspondence table which color is used in the outputted original, and alters the color of pixel data corresponding to the marked characters.
  • the mark image detecting section 103 detects the marker color attached to the black-and-white original document, further detects one tuple of pixel data corresponding to the mark and stores the pixel data tuple.
  • the tuple of pixel data corresponding to the mark indicates a pixel data group continuous on the original and having the same marker color (including an allowable value).
  • the detected pixel data tuple is stored as a set (hereinafter referred to as "mark pixel set”) with pixel data addresses as elements.
  • the pixel data tuple is stored while controlling the addition of elements so as to avoid overlapping of the set elements, that is, in such a manner that all the addresses as elements are different from one another.
  • the processing of the pixel data storing mechanism is performed in accordance with the algorithm of the following processing steps 1 to 6, which algorithm is a recursive algorithm.
  • Such a processing function of the mark image detecting section 103 is utilized by the mark area detecting section 104 for detecting picture elements located inside a mark and is also utilized by the character image color changing section 108 to check the marker color of a mark. It is further utilized by the mark image deleting section 109 to alter the color of image data corresponding to a mark.
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram explaining an address pair of pixel data detected as mark area by the mark area detecting section 104.
  • the mark area detecting section 104 detects two picture elements present inside the pixel data of mark detected by the mark image detecting section 103 and stores the addresses thereof.
  • the addresses of pixel data detected as mark area and stored by the mark area detecting section 104 indicate an address range of the pixel data as mark area. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, in association with a mark image 132 of image data on an original 131 there is detected a pair indicating an address start point (address L) and an address end point (address R) of digital color image data 132 at every scanning line, and a set including that pair as elements is stored.
  • the address pair (address L, address R) of each pixel data is in correspondence to a portion the associated scanning line (a portion of 3360 picture elements arranged in the short side direction of the original).
  • the address (address L) of the picture element located in the left most position and the address (address R) of the picture element located in the rightmost position in each scanning line are searched from among the addresses included in the mark pixel set stored in the mark image detecting section 103, and both addresses thus found out are paired at every scanning line, then a set including such pairs as elements is stored. In this way there is detected a mark area at every scanning line.
  • the character image color changing section 108 makes change into the associated character color in accordance with the mark•color correspondence table.
  • the object color of mark detected and stored as a mark pixel set by the mark image detecting section 103 is changed into the associated character color in accordance with the correspondence table.
  • the mark image deleting section 109 deletes the image corresponding to the mark from the processing object image so that the mark attached to the black-and-white original may not appear in the resulting color document.
  • the processing image data are sent to the original output section 105, which in turn outputs the thus-colored original after printing.
  • the original output section 105 makes exposure with a laser beam and subsequent development, and print the color image on paper.
  • the original output section 105 converts the processing image data after the coloration conversion represented by RGB into the data of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan) and K (black) correspondingly to the toner colors of color-printed copies. Since the color copying machine of this third embodiment requires a development cycle for each of the toner colors YMCK, there are used data corresponding to the associated toner color at every development cycle. Under control made by the processing control section 102 the original output section 105 copies the colored original in a number of sheets designated by the user concerned.
  • the marking section 110 has a marking function for specifying a portion to be subjected to the coloration conversion on the black-and-white original which is read by the original reading section.
  • a processing function for example a black-and-white original is displayed on a display screen and then marked with a light pen or stylus pen of a pointing device for specifying a portion to be subjected to the coloration conversion.
  • a pointer cursor as a mouse is also employable for this purpose.
  • the portion for the coloration conversion of the black-and-white original may be marked directly with a color marker pen without making such electronic marking.
  • the color of the color marker pen is cataloged in the system (the mark•color correspondence table) beforehand.
  • plural color marker pens of different colors are provided, and for the coloration conversion, the colors of the color marker pens and the colors for the coloration conversion are correlated with each other according to purposes of use, like "for heading” and "for highlight.”
  • the color marker pens are used like the user "encircles a portion to be highlighted on the original by the use of a marker pen for highlight.”
  • the processing control section 102 is further endowed with a function to control the entire control processing for the whole of the copying machine with edit function.
  • the control section 102 receives instructions from the user with respect to the number of copies to be outputted and the start of copying, and executes the entire processing related to the color copying function accordingly.
  • the processing control section 102 has a user interface processing function through buttons or a touch panel.
  • the mark image detecting section 103 is endowed with a function of recognizing symbols/numerals/characters which are written with a marker pen in the vicinity of mark, and the contents of the mark•color correspondence table held in the mark•color correspondence table holding section 107 are modified so as to set correlations between the recognized symbols/numerals/characters and the coloration colors for black-and-white originals.
  • This modification permits the use of a single-color marker pen for marking without the need of using marker pens of plural colors.
  • the mark image deleting section 109 is endowed with a function for deleting the recognized images of symbols/numerals/characters, whereby it becomes possible to change the color of the marked character string according to the contents of write near the mark. For example, if symbols such as ⁇ , or numerals, or characters such as "important" or "highlight,” are written near a mark which has been affixed to a to-be-colored portion of a black-and-white document with a marker pen, it is possible to obtained a colored original having colored characters of the marked portion.
  • the color correlation in the mark•color correspondence table held by the mark•color correlation table 107 is altered into the correlation of marker color and character color and background color, and the character image color changing section 108 makes change into the value of background color with respect to all the pixel data present in the mark pixel address range except black color, and the system component of the mark image deleting section is removed.
  • the color of the marked character string is changed and at the same time there is outputted a colored original in which the marked area is colored. Since the character color and the background color change at a time, it is possible to make a proper use of color. Besides, since the effect of handwriting with a marker pen is given to the character background portion, it becomes easier for the user to get a document having a higher appealing effect.
  • the hatching pattern is also changed in addition to the change of color. More specifically, in the correlation of colors defined in the mark•color correspondence table held by the mark•color correspondence table holding section 107, a master pattern of the background color area is stored and the color of the character background area is altered partially on the basis of the master pattern.
  • the master pattern there may be used, for example, lines such as ⁇ , /////,
  • the color of the background area may remain the same because in some case it is possible to make distinction of character strings even without altering the color of the background area.
  • the original output section 105 As to the contents (character strings) of the original document, a modification is made in the original output section 105 so as to output in black and white. That is, the original document is outputted through a single development using a toner color (K: black) alone in the printing of characters. As a result, it becomes possible for the user to obtain less expensively the original which was thus hatched to permit easier distinction.
  • K toner color
  • an enclosing line or solid paint as mark
  • any other graphic form if only it can visually specify the area to be covered (characters of a character string), such as parentheses or brackets or underline.
  • characters of a character string such as parentheses or brackets or underline.
  • underline as shown in FIG. 14, if an underline 141 used as mark is added under a specified character string, a search is made for a white pixel area corresponding to a line spacing through the line spacing just above the underline 141.
  • the area, indicated at 143, sandwiched in between the underline 141 and the area 142 is the area covered.
  • the width of each of the searched area 142 and the area 14s is equal to the length of the underline 141, while the height thereof corresponds to a certain number of picture elements in each line spacing.
  • a parenthesis 153 or a bracket 154 faces, each being used as mark is determined on the basis of whether end-point pixel data 151 in the parenthesis or bracket constituting pixel data and a central pixel data 152 are positioned on the right side or on the left side (with respect to the scanning direction), thereby specifying a mark range.
  • the parenthesis and bracket 153, 154 each used as mark are right-hand ones, so by determining left-hand ones opposed thereto it is made possible to determine the character area of a character string positioned therebetween.
  • the operation for altering color is performed for the pixel data which constitute characters in a marked area.
  • a modification may be made to alter the character shape, which modification is effected by performing a bit shift and a bit inverting operation based on logical operations for the picture elements.
  • this modification it is possible to attain such effects as thickening or thinning characters, making characters into pouched characters, and shading. In this case, if distinction of character strings can be made even without changing the character color, the character color may remain unchanged.
  • a system component having an image compressing function whereby the processing image data are stored in a compressed state.
  • This is advantageous in that not only the volume of data held by the processing image data holding section 106 can be decreased, but also the volume of data checked by the mark image detecting section and the mark area detecting section becomes smaller, thus permitting the processing to be executed more rapidly as a whole.
  • each marked character string in a black-and-white document is subjected to the coloration conversion to afford a more conspicuous color document.
  • the mark of the colored portion is removed, or the character shape is altered, whereby the color document obtained is easier to read than a merely mark•colored document. Consequently, as compared with the prior art, each highlight portion in the color document after the coloration conversion has an expression form making the most of the coloration effect, thus permitting the user to obtain a document of a higher appealing effect.
  • character specifying marks for character strings to be changed in color there may be used various marks according to the format or form of document data as processing objects.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Document Processing Apparatus (AREA)
  • Processing Or Creating Images (AREA)
  • Editing Of Facsimile Originals (AREA)
  • Facsimile Image Signal Circuits (AREA)
  • Color Image Communication Systems (AREA)
US08/654,593 1995-07-25 1996-05-29 Device for coloration of black and white documents Expired - Lifetime US6067555A (en)

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JP7-208544 1995-07-25
JP20854495A JP3291989B2 (ja) 1995-07-25 1995-07-25 文書処理装置

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US20080239365A1 (en) * 2007-03-26 2008-10-02 Xerox Corporation Masking of text in document reproduction
US20100053687A1 (en) * 2008-09-01 2010-03-04 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Apparatus and method of concealing information of image data
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JP6477585B2 (ja) * 2016-04-28 2019-03-06 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 画像処理装置及び画像処理システム
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US6817289B1 (en) * 1999-11-15 2004-11-16 Gateway, Inc. Method and apparatus for modifying and controlling print information
US6842182B2 (en) * 2002-12-13 2005-01-11 Sun Microsystems, Inc. Perceptual-based color selection for text highlighting
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US20050244065A1 (en) * 2004-04-30 2005-11-03 Microsoft Corporation Adaptive compression of multi-level images
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US20100149606A1 (en) * 2004-10-22 2010-06-17 Xerox Corporation System and method for identifying and labeling fields of text associated with scanned business documents
US8179556B2 (en) * 2007-03-26 2012-05-15 Xerox Corporation Masking of text in document reproduction
US20080239365A1 (en) * 2007-03-26 2008-10-02 Xerox Corporation Masking of text in document reproduction
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US9830114B2 (en) 2009-03-26 2017-11-28 Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Image processing apparatus and computer readable medium and method thereof
US20110069331A1 (en) * 2009-09-18 2011-03-24 Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc. Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer-readable storage medium for computer program
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US20110270606A1 (en) * 2010-04-30 2011-11-03 Orbis Technologies, Inc. Systems and methods for semantic search, content correlation and visualization
US9489350B2 (en) * 2010-04-30 2016-11-08 Orbis Technologies, Inc. Systems and methods for semantic search, content correlation and visualization

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Publication number Publication date
DE69630086T2 (de) 2004-07-08
EP0756248B1 (de) 2003-09-24
EP0756248A2 (de) 1997-01-29
DE69630086D1 (de) 2003-10-30
JPH0946531A (ja) 1997-02-14
JP3291989B2 (ja) 2002-06-17
EP0756248A3 (de) 1997-05-14

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